What is
an Oral surgeon?

An oral surgeon deals with a range of conditions and complications associated with the mouth, teeth and jaws. They can deal with anything from impacted teeth and extractions to tumour surgery.

What procedures are carried out during oral surgery?

Some of the
procedures carried out during oral surgery include:

Impacted wisdom
teeth

Extraction of
wisdom teeth

Improve the fit
of dentures

Cleft palate

Infections to
the face

Irregular
development/ formations of the jaw

Does Camilleri Dental Clinic offer oral surgery?

It is worth noting that most oral surgery procedures are often carried out by a general dentist rather than an oral surgeon. At Camilleri Dental Clinic we however have an accredited visiting oral surgeon to assist with cases that require it. Visit our home page for more about treatments and specialised dentists in Malta.

What is IV sedation?

Intravenous sedation (IV sedation, monitored anaesthesia or “twilight sleep”) is often used during dental surgery. This type of anaesthesia is injected into the vien and the amount used will vary depending on factors such as the type of procedure, its duration, the weight of the individual, age etc – the amount many vary hugely from a tiny amount which will just make a patient drowsy to higher amounts which will result in the patient not being able to recall anything about the procedure. During IV sedation, patients can breathe on their own.

Is IV sedation required for all treatments carried out in oral surgery?

No, IV sedation is not required for all treatments. Whether IV is required depends on the procedure needed and on the patient themselves. Some patients may want IV sedation even though it is not necessarily suggested by your dentist.

What types of drugs do dentists use for IV sedation?

Drugs used for IV sedation include a group of drugs known as anxiolytics which include benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines include common drugs such as diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan) and others. The anaesthetic is normally administered by an anaesthesiologist.

How long does oral surgery take?

There is no accurate answer to this question. Pulling out a wisdom tooth will take far less time that for example, jaw surgery. At Camilleri Dental Clinic we understand that as with any type of surgery, even oral surgery can cause a degree of anxiety in the individual. Our team truly believe that the best way to alleviate some of the stress you feel is by understanding adequately what is needed for the surgery, why it is needed and what to expect – we believe this along with a good dose of understanding towards our patients will help them deal with their surgery better.

What should I expect following oral surgery?

Stitches used in oral surgery are different to those used in other surgical procedures such as a deep cut on the leg. Stitches in the mouth are made to dissolve away and because the mouth heals at a rate faster than any other part of the body (due to the increased blood supply in the mouth), stitches are needed for less time. You dentist will let you know approximately when you should expect your stitches to start falling out.

What foods and drinks should I avoid?

You should be able to eat normally after around 7 days from the day of procedure – but until then here are some guidelines which will be explained in more detail by your chosen dentist:

For the first 2 days after your surgery, stick to liquids. Milk, milkshakes, yogurt, soft cereals such as porridge (at room temperature), soft cheese, mashed potatoes, cream and such foods are all fine. Think of anything the does not require chewing and does not need to be served hot.

On the third day you should be able to handle foods that require soft chewing. At this point you should only be thinking of soft foods without any hard bits. Pasta, noodles, soft fruits and eggs are some examples. Do not try anything that is hard or crunchy and avoid anything spicy or hot. Hot food can increase the inflammation.

I am still in pain following wisdom tooth extraction

The level of pain depends on several factors; some pain can simply be put down to our individual pain tolerance. However, most patients will experience a degree of discomfort or pain. Pain right after the procedure is normal and it can persist for some time after – even a few days. However, if the pain persists for several days, you may have a localised infection which should be seen to immediately. Contact our Sliema / St Julian’s dental office so as for us to assist and guide you through appropriate treatment.

Is bad breath a sign of infection?

Bad breath or halitosis is not a sign of infection. The bad breath could be caused by food getting stuck in the mouth. Standard dental hygiene practices should solve the matter.

What is a dry socket? How do I know I have the condition?

Dry socket (medically known as alveolar osteitis) is an inflammation of the jaw. It is a condition sometimes seen in adult tooth extractions. Normally, the blood at the site of extraction clots, helping with the healing process. However, in some cases, the blood does not clot or simply dissolves before the healing is complete. The cause of dry socket is often not following the dentist’s guidelines – smoking, poor oral hygiene, exerting oneself or doing sports are all precipitating factors. Luckily, the condition can easily be treated but you need toget in touch with us immediately.

What should I do if I feel nauseous?

Nausea is not uncommon following oral surgery, especially if you underwent IV surgery. It can often be due to the pain medication.

What board in Malta is responsible for accrediting dental specialists in Malta?

Specialists in Malta are accredited by the Medical Council. Its mission statement is “The Medical Council strives at safeguarding patients’ rights and safety… by protecting, promoting and maintaining the health of the general public… by ensuring proper standards in the practice of Medicine… as well as by safeguarding the values and integrity of the Medical and Dental professions…. “

Camilleri Dental Clinic

Camilleri Dental Clinic is one of Malta’s longest standing group family practices. Established in 1960 we have evolved into one of Malta’s leading private specialist dental practices and we pride ourselves in maintaining high standards of work in a fully modernised environment.